Bardsley filed the first lawsuit on June 16, 1994 in the Court of Common Pleas for Montgomery County.
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This action, Bardsley v. Inofast Manufacturing, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 94-11292 ("Bardsley I "), was assigned to Judge Lawrence, the defendant in this case. In Bardsley I, Plaintiff sued Inofast and its three other shareholders--his twin brother Scott Bardsley ("Scott"), his father Leigh Bardsley ("Leigh") and David Miller ("Miller")--who engaged in the allegedly improper deals. Plaintiff sought injunctive and compensatory relief under three theories of liability: (1) violation of fiduciary duty, (2) fraud and misrepresentation, and (3) violation of Pennsylvania's Business Corporation Law. According to Plaintiff's Complaint in the instant action, Judge Lawrence has denied his multiple motions for injunctive relief and motions to disqualify opposing counsel, including his most recent motions denied by Order dated October 21, 1996 (the "October 21 Order"). The October 21 Order also imposed $ 750 in sanctions for filing multiple frivolous motions. The case remains pending before Judge Lawrence.

Ten months after filing Bardsley I, Plaintiff instituted the federal action that was before this Court, Bardsley v. Powell, Trachtman, Logan, Carrle & Bowman, P.C., et al. ("Bardsley II "), Civil Docket No. 95-2287. In Bardsley II, Plaintiff again sued Scott, Leigh and Miller, as well as the attorneys and firm representing them in the state proceeding. Bardsley asserted claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78a-78kk (the "1934 Act"), the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-68 ("RICO"), and various Pennsylvania common law rules. Plaintiff sought a preliminary injunction setting aside the elections of Inofast officers and directors conducted during the previous three annual shareholders meetings, voiding the disputed transactions, and restoring him to his majority status. We denied the motion after a two-day hearing because Bardsley had failed to demonstrate irreparable harm. 916 F. Supp. at 457-58. Subsequently, we dismissed Plaintiff's Complaint in its entirety, finding that (1) the 1934 Act claim was time barred and (2) the Complaint failed to allege facts stating a RICO claim, and refusing to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state claims. 916 F. Supp. at 462-64. The Third Circuit affirmed both of these decisions by order dated December 13, 1996.

Id. at 840. In other words, "Rooker-Feldman precludes a federal action if the relief requested in the federal action would effectively reverse the state decision or void its ruling." Charchenko v. City of Stillwater, 47 F.3d 981, 983 (8th Cir. 1995), cited in FOCUS, 75 F.3d at 840.

We plainly lack jurisdiction under Rooker-Feldman to grant most of the § 1983 relief plaintiff seeks. In asking this Court to overturn Judge Lawrence's October 21 Order, grant his motion to disqualify opposing counsel, and declare the contested Inofast shares null and void, Plaintiff calls for the outright reversal or nullification of Judge Lawrence's decisions. Such requests cut to the heart of what a federal court, under Rooker-Feldman, lacks the power to do. See Port Auth. PBA v. Port Auth. of N.Y. and N.J., 973 F.2d 169, 178 (3d Cir. 1992).

We also lack jurisdiction over Plaintiff's request to disqualify Judge Lawrence as the presiding judge in Bardsley I, though Rooker-Feldman is not the applicable bar.
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Under Pennsylvania law, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court exercises general supervisory and administrative authority over the "unified judicial system," which includes all courts and district justices. 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1701 et seq. The Supreme Court may, in turn, delegate certain of these powers to an appropriate "agency or unit of the unified judicial system." 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1721. Plaintiff points to no authority suggesting that we may act contrary to the fundamental tenets of federalism by usurping Pennsylvania's authority over the supervision and administration of its own courts. We therefore dismiss the remainder of Plaintiff's § 1983 claim for lack of jurisdiction.

III. Counts II and III: Plaintiff's 1934 Act Claims

The remaining two counts of Plaintiff's Complaint seek permanent injunctive relief against Judge Lawrence under the 1934 Act. In Count II, Bardsley seeks an order pursuant to § 21(e), 15 U.S.C. § 78u(e), rescinding the disputed shares and requiring that a new shareholders meeting be held. In Count III, he seeks an order pursuant to § 29(b), 15 U.S.C. § 78cc(b), declaring that two of the disputed agreements are null and void. Defendant argues that Counts II and III should be dismissed pursuant to the Anti-Injunction Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2283. Before we even reach this question, however, we ask whether the Complaint states claims upon which §§ 21(e) and 29(b) relief may be granted against Judge Lawrence. See Rule 12(b)(6).

We find that it does not. Bardsley's Complaint contains no allegation that Judge Lawrence violated the 1934 Act, or any rules promulgated thereunder, in any way. Rather, Plaintiff alleges securities law violations committed only by Scott, Leigh, Miller and the attorneys advising and representing them, in other words, the defendants in Bardsley I and Bardsley II. Similarly, the equitable relief that Bardsley seeks would not directly enjoin Judge Lawrence to do or from doing anything. Rather, the injunction and declaration would nullify transactions entered into by the Bardsley I and Bardsley II defendants and require them to take certain actions as a result. Plaintiff simply has no 1934 Act claim against Judge Lawrence, thus both Counts II and III must be dismissed against her.

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